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Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes that carry air from your throat to your
lungs. When infected, bronchial tubes become inflamed, making it difficult to breath,
and produce mucus which causes coughing. Other symptoms may include a slight fever,
sore throat, muscle pain when breathing, and wheezing. It is even possible, during acute
bronchitis, to cough so hard that the explosive vacuum you create in your lungs can
crack or otherwise hurt your ribs, which makes further coughing even more painful.
Bronchitis can be either chronic or acute. Acute bronchitis is often the result of a cold
or flu, in which case it is said the cold 'turned into bronchitis'. Acute bronchitis is most
often caused by a virus, rather than bacteria, so taking antibiotics will probably not
help, although doctors often prescribe them because their patients insist.
Acute bronchitis will usually go away on its own. The best treatment is bed rest and
fluids. Because bronchitis causes the buildup of mucus, an expectorant cough syrup can
help thin down the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Drinking fluids will also help
with this, as well as replace the fluids you lose to the infection. See your doctor if you
are still having symptoms after two weeks - you may have another respiratory problem.
Chronic bronchitis is a condition most often seen in smokers. This is a more permanent
inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by the irritation of cigarette smoke.
Chronic bronchitis is like an on-going, less severe case of acute bronchitis. The
bronchial tubes are always slightly inflamed, mucus is always being produced, and the
result is the 'smoker's hack'. The best cure for chronic bronchitis is to stop smoking,
but if that is unworkable for you, cutting down can reduce the stress on your bronchial
tubes and allow them to recover somewhat.
Definition
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the main airways to the lungs called the bronchi. It
is usually caused by an infection. Symptoms of acute bronchitis may last several weeks.
Alternative Names
Bronchitis – acute
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Acute bronchitis is one of the most common medical conditions seen in a doctor's
office. It is primarily caused by a virus that infects the respiratory system. There are
a number of different respiratory viruses that can do this, including the rhinovirus,
which causes the common cold.
Y’kidz Montessori Enrichment Centre
No.8 Sin Ming Road #01-02 Sin Ming Centre, Singapore 575628
Tel : 6554 0334 Fax : 6554 0693 Email : enquiry@ykidz.com.sg
The classic symptoms of bronchitis may mimic a cold. A tickle in the back of the throat
progresses into a dry, irritating cough. But as the infection gets worse, a person may
cough up thick, yellow mucus that may (rarely) be streaked with blood.
Sometimes the symptoms of bronchitis do not appear until the underlying viral
infection has gone away, and a secondary bacteria infection causes the coughing
symptoms of bronchitis.
Whooping cough and sinusitis may cause symptoms similar to bronchitis. It is important
to see your health care provider to get a correct diagnosis.
You have a higher risk for getting bronchitis if you've had a recent illness or viral
respiratory infection (which reduce your ability to fight off infections), or if you have
chronic lung problems such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. You are also at higher risk for bronchitis if you smoke.
Symptoms
Cough

o Stays steady or gets increasingly worse for 10 days to 2 weeks
o Worse at night
o Starts out dry and irritating, but becomes increasing loose over time
o May cough up mucus. (Younger kids usually can't cough this up; they
swallow it.)
o In very rare cases, patients may cough up blood (blood streaked sputum).
See a doctor if this happens.
o Lasts for less than 6-8 weeks
 Shortness of breath
 Wheezing
 "Rattle" sensation in chest
 General ill feeling (malaise )
 Slight fever
 Tickle feeling in back of throat that leads to soreness
 Chest pain, soreness, and constricted feeling in the chest
 Poor sleep
 Chills (uncommon)
Y’kidz Montessori Enrichment Centre
No.8 Sin Ming Road #01-02 Sin Ming Centre, Singapore 575628
Tel : 6554 0334 Fax : 6554 0693 Email : enquiry@ykidz.com.sg
Signs and tests
A diagnosis of acute bronchitis is made by reviewing a patient's current health and
medical history. A physical examination and chest x-ray help rule out the presence of
pneumonia.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms.
In otherwise healthy people, antibiotics should only be prescribed after 10-14 days of
persistent cough. At that point, a bacterial infection or presence of sinusitis should be
considered.
Medications called bronchodilators that open constricted air passages in the lungs
(albuterol) are prescribed for patients with wheezing.
Decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) may also help alleviate the symptoms of
bronchitis. Medications that liquefy mucus secretions (mucolytic agents, like
guaifenesin) may also be prescribed, but how well they work remains uncertain.
The patient will also be told to rest, increase humidity (using a cool mist humidifier) to
soothe air passages, and increase fluid intake to stay hydrated and to thin mucous lung
secretions.
Expectations (prognosis)
Symptoms usually abate within 7 to 14 days in the absence of prior chronic pulmonary
disease. However, in some patients, it commonly takes much longer for the cough to go
completely away.
Complications
Pneumonia is a possible complication. The presence of sinusitis must also be considered.
Patients with asthma or other lung conditions may have a worsening of symptoms.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of acute bronchitis.
Call your health care provider if you are being treated for acute bronchitis and:
 Symptoms last longer than two weeks
 Breathlessness or wheezing develops
 You cough up blood
Y’kidz Montessori Enrichment Centre
No.8 Sin Ming Road #01-02 Sin Ming Centre, Singapore 575628
Tel : 6554 0334 Fax : 6554 0693 Email : enquiry@ykidz.com.sg
Prevention
Good handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid exposure to viruses and other
respiratory infections.
Since flu viruses have been shown to be a significant cause of bronchitis, getting a flu
shot may also help prevent acute bronchitis.
Minimize exposure to cold, damp environments which, combined with air pollution or
tobacco smoke, may make people more susceptible to bronchitis.
Above article taken from Healthline Site